Two days ago.
Under the blazing sun, the ground was scorching hot, and people who stayed under the sun for a long time felt their skin burning.
Clad in a black robe, Ma Xiaotao strolled slowly through this remote town. The scorching sun had no effect on her; possessing the Fire Phoenix Martial Soul of Ultimate Fire, she only felt a warm sensation throughout her body.
These past few days, following the guidance in her heart, she had long since lost her way.
She has no idea where she is now.
However, these past few days, she has felt a strong inner guidance, as if she is very close to what she is looking for.
Ma Xiaotao looked up at the sun in the sky. The sun was high overhead, and it was clearly noon.
She decided to stop traveling and instead went into a restaurant.
The town here is not wealthy, so the restaurants don't do very well.
The restaurant owner was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. He had a completely shaved head, and because of the hot weather, his skin was quite dark, making him look like a shiny hard-boiled egg under the light.
Upon seeing someone enter, he quickly came out from behind the counter to greet them warmly.
Although the boss couldn't see Ma Xiaotao Ma Xiaotao the black robe, he immediately recognized her impressive figure.
"Miss, please have a seat here. This is our shop's menu."
The owner warmly poured a glass of iced water and attached a menu. He was extremely attentive to Ma Xiaotao, a customer who had come from afar.
Ma Xiaotao flipped through the menu but nothing happened. The shopkeeper was getting nervous and was about to ask.
Ma Xiaotao took out a Gold Soul Coin from her pocket, placed it on the table, and said, "Just arrange some simple food, the rest is your tip."
After saying that, Ma Xiaotao put down the menu in her hand and sat quietly in her seat.
The boss was taken aback at first, staring at the Gold Soul Coin gleaming on the table, and for a moment he didn't react.
To be honest, he had never seen such a generous guest before, because this was a remote area where prices were much cheaper.
This single Gold Soul Coin is worth at least three months of his income, which is quite substantial.
The boss dared not be careless, knowing that Ma Xiaotao was definitely someone who was willing to spend money. Naturally, he dared not neglect her, and with a gentle smile, he nodded and took a few steps backward before turning around and walking towards the kitchen.
The fire was lit, the pan was heated, and the oil was added in one swift motion, soon filling the kitchen with the aroma of stir-fried dishes.
Ma Xiaotao took out her Communication Soul Tool from her storage ring, intending to check if anyone had contacted her, when she heard footsteps slowly approaching from outside.
Judging from the noise, they seem to be coming this way as well, probably also customers coming for a meal.
Ma Xiaotao then put away the Communication Soul Tool, picked up her water glass, and took a sip.
jingle!
The wind chimes by the door jingled crisply as they struck the doorframe.
Ma Xiaotao tilted her head slightly and looked through the hood, seeing a man slowly walking in.
The man was dressed plainly, but his fiery red hair was particularly striking, and he had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, though there was a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
Ma Xiaotao felt a jolt in her heart, and her vision blurred. She shook her head, rubbing her forehead, only to find that the man was already sitting not far from her.
At that moment, her heart suddenly raced, and a strong sense of direction pointed directly to the strange man who had just entered.
"Strange? Why does this man give me this feeling? Could it be that he's the one I've been searching for all along?"
Ma Xiaotao looked at the mysterious man in front of her with suspicion, but she did not make any rash moves. Instead, she planned to wait for the man to leave and then follow him to see what was going on.
A short while later, the owner came out with a dish from the side, smiled at the man, and then placed the dish on Ma Xiaotao's table.
"Please wait a moment, young lady, please eat first."
After saying that, the shop owner pulled out another menu and handed it to the man, smiling, "What would you like to eat, sir? Please tick the boxes you've chosen, and I'll be right there."
"No need, it's fine to be the same as her."
The man answered coldly, pointing in the direction of Ma Xiaotao.
The shop owner immediately nodded and bowed, "Okay, okay, please wait a moment, sir."
Without hesitation, the boss rushed into the kitchen.
He's not going to let two big orders slip by easily.
Hearing the man's words, Ma Xiaotao frowned, picked up the chopsticks beside her, and began to eat.
However, after each bite, she would pause to observe the man's actions.
However, the man did not make any further moves; he simply sat quietly.
After a while, more people arrived one after another.
They ordered their food and sat down without paying any attention to Ma Xiaotao and her companion.
"Hey, what's going on? Why is it suddenly so hot these past few days?" A man took off his straw hat and used it as a fan to cool himself down.
Another man poured himself a glass of ice water and said helplessly, "Who knows? Who can predict this awful weather? Hopefully it'll be cooler when we're working this afternoon."
"Forget it, dreaming is more realistic."
The people chatted casually, but the mysterious man didn't react at all, only a faint smile seemed to be playing on his lips.
After an unknown amount of time, the man finally stood up, placed a Gold Soul Coin between his long, slender fingers on the table, and strode out of the restaurant.
Ma Xiaotao then slowly got up and followed him.
As the two left, the owner immediately smiled and called out, "Take care, guests! Welcome back next time!"
Ma Xiaotao walked out the door, watched the red-haired man walking ahead, and slowly followed him.
Fearing being discovered, Ma Xiaotao kept a considerable distance from him.
However, even if the man disappears from her sight, Ma Xiaotao can still catch up again by relying on the slightest clues.
This isn't a talent, but rather a tracking method specifically trained in the Garden. As long as the opponent's strength isn't much greater than one's own, they basically won't be detected.
Ma Xiaotao also sensed the man's aura and didn't detect any fluctuations in Soul Power, so he should just be an ordinary person.
However, this also made Ma Xiaotao even more curious as to why this man exuded a sense of guidance.
This was indeed rather strange, but since nothing seemed amiss, Ma Xiaotao could only quietly follow along.
However, as she walked, Ma Xiaotao noticed that the man was heading out of town, seemingly trying to lead her to a less crowded area.
"I've been exposed?!"
Ma Xiaotao was shocked, but she quickly calmed down. She knew that even Level 99 Limit Douluo couldn't stop her now, and even if she was discovered, nothing would happen.
Thinking of all this, Ma Xiaotao followed without hesitation and left the town.